Using some materials (video, small booklets and power point slides) provided by Open Doors and some though-through prayers for governments, believers and their persecutors, we were able to bring their needs to our Lord. We did not pray that the persecution would end (Jesus promised that we would be persecuted because we belong to Him!) but that God would give them grace to maintain their trust in Him, their faithfulness to His word and the strength to continue to pray for their persecutors.

]]>Playgroups and Sunday School Celebration servicehttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/11/playgroups-and-sunday-school-celebration-service/
Wed, 14 Nov 2018 09:14:26 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=5084It’s getting close to be that time of the year again! No…not Christmas…(well not just yet anyway), but it’s almost time for our annual Playgroups and Sunday School celebration service on Sunday November 25th @10:30am with a shared lunch to follow… Word is out that ‘Hot Dog’ is planning to be there too! Come and join us!
]]>Visit by Rhys & Rhondda Hallhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/10/visit-by-rhys-rhondda-hall/
Mon, 29 Oct 2018 11:18:09 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=5060Based in Uganda, Rhys & Rhondda Hall are long term Australian missionaries who serve with Pioneers and APWM providing a vital radio and literature ministry to the war-torn people of South Sudan.

We are looking forward to their visit to some of the St John’s ministries on Saturday November 17th in the following ways; Rhys will be speaking at the Men’s Fellowship at 8am. Breakfast will be served for $5 and an RSVP is required to bendigopc@gmail.com and Rhondda will be speaking to the Ladies’ Fellowship at 10:30am over morning tea. Ladies, a plate please.

Come and hear the latest! There will be an offering for the Hall’s support at both meetings. Contact us for further details.

We are so grateful to Mike for generously giving up his time to make this return visit to St John’s, having preached at our Naval Services in 2013 and then again in 2014. Thank you Mike and may God bless you in your important leadership role in the RAN.

We are pleased to be hosting this day event on Saturday October 27th from 10am-4:30pm featuring keynote speaker, Rev Dr Peter Adam, electives on reading the Bible one-to-one with people in various contexts, a time of prayer for gospel growth and lunch together. All this just for the cost of lunch. Come and join us!

]]>Culture Connect training day Sept 22nd @ St John’shttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/08/culture-connect-training-day-sept-22nd-st-johns/
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 07:57:32 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4944People are on the move. They’re fleeing war, conflict and persecution. They’re looking for work. They’ve been trafficked, abused or cast out. For any number of reasons, they are in a new place. They’re seeking a new life and their needs are many.

Here in Australia, the church is on the move. As God brings new neighbours into our communities, we have the opportunity to become people of peace to them. CultureConnect is helping Australian Christians come alongside migrants to share journeys of joy and pain, faith and hope.

You’re invited to this special training event, where CultureConnect workers will be sharing how you can walk with those on the move in your community. So come, walk with us.

You’re invited!

When: Saturday, 22nd September 2018

Arrive from 9:30am, for a 10am sharp start. Concluding at 4pm

Where: St John’s Presbyterian Church Hall

Corner of MacKenzie Street and Forest Street, Bendigo

Cost: $20 per head / $10 concession

(Bring four people from your fellowship and fifth person comes FREE)

RSVP: interserve.org.au/go/equippinggodspeople-event

(this is essential)

Lunch and light refreshments provided.

More information: Ian and Nancy Cutlack niancycutlack@gmail.com

CultureConnect: A ministry of Interserve

]]>Would we be better off without Christianity?https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/08/would-we-be-better-off-without-christianity/
Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:59:33 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4909Christian history is full of violence, corruption, and oppression. So would we be better off without Christianity? Does religion poison everything?
The history of the church offers plenty of ammunition to its critics. Crusades, inquisitions, witch hunts, the oppression of women …

‘For the Love of God: How the church is better and worse than you ever imagined’ is a documentary by the Centre for Public Christianity, confronting the worst of what Christians have done – and also tracing the origins of Western values like human rights, charity, humility, and non-violence back to the influence of Jesus.

]]>Our ‘daughter’ church gets her own home!https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/08/our-daughter-church-gets-her-own-home/
Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:18:08 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4897We are rejoicing with the Reforming Church congregation (South East Bendigo Presbyterian Church) who now have the keys to their new ‘home’ at 17 Victa Road, East Bendigo and begin meeting there from this Sunday August 5th at 10:30am.

Your ‘parent church’ family is thanking God for His wonderful provision for you and praying that all who enter your ‘new digs’ may find a warm welcome and the saving grace of Jesus Christ our Lord.

]]>Bibles for South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopiahttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/07/bibles-for-south-sudanese-refugees-in-ethiopia/
Sun, 29 Jul 2018 10:10:47 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4884One of the challenges that the 480,000 people who fled from civil war in South Sudan face as they find refuge in Ethiopian refugee camps is that they have no Bibles. They have none because they ran from their homes for their very lives!

In an attempt to redress this, APWM has launched an appeal for Bibles, aiming to reach a target of 33,000 Bibles in the Nuer language at a cost of $330,000 (ie $10 per Bible)! In the last few weeks, we are pleased to have donated 123 Bibles to this appeal…small, we know, but when joined with the gifts of many other Presbyterian congregations, not an insignificant amount. Like to contribute to this appeal? Follow this link here.

]]>Rev Kevin Murray’s visit July 22https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/07/rev-kevin-murray-visits/
Sun, 22 Jul 2018 07:19:01 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4870We were pleased today to be able to welcome Rev Kevin Murray, the National Director of Australian Presbyterian World Mission (APWM) to our gathering this morning.

Thank you Kevin for coming and sharing God’s Word with us, encouraging us with news of how God is using APWM workers all across the globe and challenging us to be busy with the gospel at home and support those who have been called to distant places.

]]>‘Nepali Night’ July 15th, 5:30pmhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/07/nepali-night-july-15th-530pm/
Wed, 11 Jul 2018 11:29:41 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4857On Saturday night July 15th we’re getting together in the hall starting with dinner together at 5:30pm. We’ll enjoy the company of some special friends, maybe even play some fun games together, hear the latest on church planting and growth in Nepal and of course, eat! It’s a bring and share arrangement (like we do for lunch), mains and dessert. Extra points to you if you can cook up something Nepali style. It won’t be a late night so bring the family! And… it will be warm in the hall! (And yes, that is the flag of Nepal on the left!)
]]>Welcome Wednesdays set to begin!https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/06/welcome-wednesdays-set-to-begin/
Tue, 05 Jun 2018 03:43:58 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4800We are grateful to the Bendigo Weekly for their willingness to follow up our story on Welcome Wednesdays in their paper last Friday (if you missed it, you can see it here on their website).

Since then we’ve had this A-frame redone (see left) thanks to a local signwriter, made some changes to the meeting room interior, purchased some new equipment and have sought to get the message out as much as we can.

Thanks for your prayers for this new venture which begins on Wednesday June 13th.

]]>Quarterly Prayer Gathering June 2nd 10amhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/05/quarterly-prayer-gathering-june-2nd-10am/
Sun, 27 May 2018 05:04:45 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4783It’s good to pray! It’s even better to pray together as a Church family! We try to do this on the first Saturday of each quarter and we have been greatly blessed in doing so. Our next gathering is Saturday June 2nd from 10am in the Upper Room. Join us as we pray for God’s people all around the world, for missions and missionaries, and for those known to us in need. If you are reading this and would like us to pray for you or someone else in need, feel free to drop us a line!
]]>Return visit of Motor Isaac Yat, APWM Missionary in Ethiopiahttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/05/return-visit-of-motor-isaac-yat-apwm-missionary-in-ethiopia/
Tue, 22 May 2018 00:07:14 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4769It’s nearly been 5 years since Motor Isaac Yat visited us at St John’s. During that tuime so much has changed in his homeland of South Sudan. Civil war has torn it apart and continues to make it a very unsafe place to live and minsiter God’s Word. Much has changed and Motor’s service has changed too. He now serves with APWM’s newset partner church, the Presbyterian Church of Ethiopia, working among the 500,000 South Sudanese refugees who have fled across the border into Ethiopia for safety. Motor will be sharing his story and preaching God’s Word this coming Sunday May 27th at 10:30am. Join us and hear what God is doing among His people in a terrible time of crisis.
]]>Coming soon: ‘Welcome Wednesdays’https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/05/coming-soon-welcome-wednesdays/
Thu, 17 May 2018 01:48:06 +0000https://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4757

The plan for ‘Welcome Wednesdays’ is fairly straightforward. On Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm, the Upper Room will be open for a cuppa, conversation, craft (BYO or learn something new) and friendship. All will be very welcome. June 13 is our starting date!

]]>Assistant Minister appointed!https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/04/assistant-minister-appointed/
Sat, 21 Apr 2018 02:50:04 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4700We are very pleased to announce that Rev Keith Bell (pictured left) has been appointed as part time Assistant Minister of Bendigo (St John’s) Presbyterian Church for the next 12 months!

Keith is a Queenslander who was ordained a Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in 1982. He has served in the parishes of Bell (Qld), Naracoorte (SA) and Hamilton (Vic) as well as being a full-time Presbyterian Chaplain at the Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne, Vic.). He has also served the Presbyterian Church of Victoria as its Moderator. Since 2013 Keith has served as the Minister of the Alice Springs Mission Church under the direction of the Presbyterian Inland Mission (PIM), but has now settled in Bendigo. He is married to Jenny and they have 1 son, 4 daughters, 5 grandsons and 3 grand-daughters!

Barnabas Fund is launching a new campaign to reclaim the heritage of freedom of religion which previous generations of Christians endured hardship, persecution and even death to achieve.

Barnabas Fund is seeking a new Act of Parliament to guarantee seven fundamental aspects of freedom of religion. These freedoms wen developed by various mechanisms over the last five centuries including English common law, the federal constitution and international treaties, but are now under threat. An Australian domestic law to protect and guarantee them is urgently needed.

In Canberra’s Parliament House sits the only copy of Magna Carta in the southern hemisphere. Magna Carta’s ringing call 800 years ago that “the English Church shall be free” is an affirmation that was foundational to the development of freedom in Australia. The gradual development of full freedom of religion in the following centuries eventually led in 1901 to the Australian federal constitution specifically stating that, “The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.” However, this only applies to the Federal government, and the courts have over the years significantly limited the extent to which it protects freedom of religion even then.

Even before we became an independent nation, the Magna Carta’s affirmation that “the English Church shall be free” had over the centuries been worked out into seven specific aspects of religious liberty:
• Freedom to read Scriptures in public (achieved 1537)
• Freedom to interpret Scriptures without government interference (achieved 1559)
• Freedom of worship (achieved 1689)
• Freedom to choose, or change your faith or belief (achieved 1689)
• Freedom to preach and try to convince others of the truth of your beliefs (achieved 1812)
• Freedom to establish churches, synagogues, mosques, etc. (achieved 1812)
• Freedom from being required to affirm a particular worldview or set of beliefs in order to hold a public sector job, stand for election, work in professions such as teaching and law, or study at university (achieved by the repeal of various ‘Test Acts” between 1719 and 1888).

However, most of these freedoms, which we inherited when Australia was born as nation in 1901, have never been specifically incorporated into law. They are therefore vulnerable to being eroded by those who are either intent on imposing a particular ideological agenda, or by politicians who are simply ignorant of the enormous importance previous generations played in developing freedom of religion. That’s why we shall be calling on Christians to claim the freedoms our forefathers endured hardship, persecution and even death to achieve.

Why Barnabas Fund is doing this
For many years Barnabas Fund has worked to support the persecuted Church, particularly in Muslim-majority contexts. However, as we have done so, we have become aware of how much freedom of religion is under threat in the West.

A new ”’Test Act” is being brought in by the backdoor
In the last year we have seen people working in both the public and private sectors fired because of their Christian beliefs.

These include a Melbourne IT specialist engaged to work on the “safe schools programme” sacked after privately expressing concerns during a staff meeting; an 18-year-old children’s party organiser sacked after putting up an ‘It’s OK to vote no’ filter on her Facebook page during the SSM postal survey; and a high profile campaign targeting accountants Price Waterhouse Coopers forcing one of its senior executives to step down from the board of ACL-linked Lachlan Macquarie Institute. Meanwhile, in what looks like a form of reintroduction of the University Test Acts that existed in colonial era Britain, a Christian student was suspended from university for a semester after respectfully answering a question at a party about his views on same sex marriage.Reprinted from the Mar/Apr 2018 Barnabas Fund magazine

It’s time to act! Come and hear a representative from Barnabas Fund. Their ‘Fair go with Religious Freedom’ Tour is coming to Bendigo on Tuesday April 24th meeting at Bendigo (St John’s) Presbyterian Church, 35-41 Forest Street, Bendigo.

12:05pm (45 minute session, lunch provided)

7:30pm (90 minute session)

Enquiries: Rev Philip Burns 5443 6189

]]>‘The last words of Jesus’ (An Easter reflection)https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/03/the-last-words-of-jesus/
Mon, 26 Mar 2018 03:56:20 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4650The last words spoken by dying people can be sad, weird or anything in between. Elvis Presley said, “I’m going to the bathroom to read.” Joseph Wright was a linguist who edited the English Dialect Dictionary. His last word was “Dictionary.” Multimillionaire, Richard Mellon enjoyed a game of Tag with his brother through seven decades of his life. When dying, Richard whispered, “Last tag” to his brother who then was “It” for four years until his death.

In John 19:30 we find out what the last words of Jesus were. He said ‘it is finished’. But what was it that was finished? His drink? His suffering? His life? What is sometimes not so clear can be sorted out by going back to the original language that John used. While Jesus spoke in Aramaic, John, like the rest of the gospel writers recorded everything in the common Greek tongue of the day, Greek. And in that language, Jesus said just one word, and that word has the meaning, ‘it is finished, it stands finished and it will always be finished’. A servant would use this word in replying to his master, ‘I have completed the tasks you gave me to do’. A financial or accounts manager in the business world of this time would use it to mean, ‘the debt is paid in full’.

The death of Jesus was no accident. He willingly embraced the cross. His death was not an example either. His death was a payment. And by saying ‘it is finished’, Jesus expressed that salvation of God’s people was now complete. The debt had been paid leaving absolutely nothing to pay. Salvation is God’s work on our behalf.

The story is told of a rather eccentric evangelist called Alexander Wooten who was approached by a young man who asked him ‘Sir, what must I do to be saved?’ Wooten replied ‘it’s too late’ and went on with his work. The man became troubled by this and replied, ‘Do you mean it’s now too late for me to be saved? Is there nothing I can do?’ ‘Too late’ said Wooten, ‘it’s already been done! All you can do is repent and believe!’ Everything hinges on what Jesus completed. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace to be received by faith. This last word of Jesus is a lifeline to the believer. Let His Name be your last word.

Rev Philip Burns

]]>Easter Services 2018https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/03/easter-services-2018/
Tue, 20 Mar 2018 10:34:01 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4625Have you got some plans in place for Easter this year? Maybe you have. It’s a busy time for travel and holiday making and also the last of the warmer weather. Central Victoria is a great place to visit and there’s lots to see and do in Bendigo. So, if you are planning a visit, then join us on Good Friday at 9:30am and Easter Sunday at 10:30am to hear again the ‘old, old story’ that is ‘ever new’ of Jesus the Lamb of God, crucified in our place and raised from the dead for our salvation. Morning tea follows both services. All very welcome.
]]>Latest from Scots Day Out!https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/03/latest-from-scots-day-out/
Sat, 03 Mar 2018 07:20:49 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4585Another great today today, working together as a team in being a presence and a witness to people from all over the place who come to Bendigo’s Scots Day Out! (We’re the ones wearing the blue polo shirts!)
]]>Look for us at Scots Day Out!https://bendigopc.org.au/2018/02/look-for-us-at-scots-day-out-2/
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 21:36:02 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4556It’s on again next Saturday March 3rd in Rosalind Park, Bendigo…and we’ll be there. Look for the tent with blue shirted, name tagged, smiling people handing out biscuit packs and inviting you to take the ultimate ‘Scottish Quiz’. Free literature to take… and a ‘colouring corner’ for the kids!
]]>Global Hymn Sing – Jesus Shall Reignhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/02/global-hymn-sing-jesus-shall-reign/
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 02:37:30 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4576//bendigopc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Jesus-Shall-Reign.mp4

]]>PCV Moderator to visithttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/02/pcv-moderator-to-visit-2/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 23:06:43 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4532One of the responsibilities of being the Moderator (elected representative) of our denomination, is the task of visiting local churches throughout the state ov Victoria. Next Sunday, February 25th, is our turn to have that privilege and so to host the current Moderator, Rev Robert White, with his wife Sue. Robert has served in parishes in Tasmania (St John’s, Hobart) and Victoria (Essendon and Geelong West) and is now in his second year of being Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. He is pictured here leading the Communion service at the 2017 General Assembly.

]]>Home Groups ‘up and running’ this weekhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/02/home-groups-up-and-running-this-week/
Sat, 10 Feb 2018 01:24:10 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4500With 2018 well under way, it’s time to get back to our Home Groups again – and they will be starting this week on Wednesday 14th February and Thursday 15th February.This year we’re kicking off with a study on Hosea. Check out our link here or contact us for more information.

To launch our Home Groups for the year, we’re getting together for our annual ‘Home Group Launch dinner’ on Thursday night in the Hall. The dinner is open to all from the church family, but especially those who would like to be involved in a Home Group during 2018. (If you can’t make the dinner but would like to be involved in a Home Group, please let us know!’)

On this Australia Day, while much debate rages about many things in relation to our past, it’s good to be reminded how God’s Word was first planted on Australian soil…and one of the men He used to do the planting – Richard Johnson.

Richard Johnson was a man of the gospel and you can read his story here and after you have, join with us in praying that God would raise up many more like him to serve within this land ‘girt by sea’.

]]>Engage with ENGAGEhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2018/01/engage-with-engage/
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:32:31 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4466Back in 2011 a group of church leaders in Melbourne saw the need to organise a training event to equip young Christian leaders to teach the Bible better. So with help from our friends at NEXTgen the ENGAGE Conference was born.

The ENGAGE Conference is all about training leaders to teach the gospel to others, and to live whole-heartedly in the light of the gospel – whether you’re just starting out in Christian leadership, or have been involved for years.

]]>R C Sproul, with Jesushttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/12/r-c-sproul-with-jesus/
Sun, 17 Dec 2017 08:10:38 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4415Like many around the world, we too expresses our thanks to God for the life, ministry and witness of pastor and theologian R C Sproul. The whole community of Reformed churches will sadly miss his wisdom, insight, perceptions, godliness and experience which are all Heaven’s gain. Face to face with Christ now. ‘Well done faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master’. (You can read a fuller tribute to R C here)

Join us as we come together for our annual ‘Carols by Torchlight’ (much safer than candles!) at St John’s on Sunday December 17th at 8pm, followed by supper in the hall (please bring some to share!) All are very welcome!

It’s time for our quarterly Sunday Evening Fellowship this coming Sunday night, when we will share a meal tobgether at 5pm and enjoy a brief worship service (with the Lord’s Supper) at 6pm. Come and join us!

]]>Sunday School and Playgroups end-of-the-year celebration! November 26thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/11/sunday-school-and-playgroups-end-of-the-year-celebration-november-26th/
Sun, 19 Nov 2017 02:42:46 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4361Next Sunday, November 26th, our annual Sunday School and Playgroups end-of-the-year celebration is on! We meet at 10:30am and our service will be followed by a bring and share lunch. Word is out that ‘Hot Dog’ is making a return too….! See you there!
]]>Revitalizing the Presbyterian Church in Adelaidehttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/11/revitalizing-the-presbyterian-church-in-adelaide/
Mon, 06 Nov 2017 06:06:52 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4344One of the great things about belonging to a Presbyterian Church is that all our churches are inter-dependent (not independent) towards each other. As a result of this the Presbyterian General Assembly of Australia’s (GAA) church planting taskforce has set its sights upon Adelaide and is asking congregations around the country for support. Why Adelaide? Adelaide is Australia’s fifth largest city, yet for many years the combined ministry of the Presbyterian churches has been smaller than many country town or rural ministries. The Presbyterian Church in Adelaide has never been really strong, and when Union came in 1977 it left the church in a sorry state. The situation has been slow going since then, so the GAA took a bold move and placed the Presbyterian Church of South Australia under the care of the much stronger and growing Presbyterian Church of Queensland, and in particular the Creek Road (Carina) congregation who have set their church planting team to work. The first steps of this have been to link the remaining 6 congregations in Adelaide (Elizabeth, Para Hills, North Adelaide, Norwood, Seacliff, and Mt. Barker) into the one Charge with a team of church planters and pastors being assembled to revitalize gospel ministry in that city. How to help?Pray
• Give thanks for the ministry of John Langbridge, John Gilmour, Damien Carson and the rest of the team currently on the ground in Adelaide
• Pray for the formation of the staff team
• Pray for the people of Adelaide to have heart soft for the gospel
• Pray for each of the 6 congregations in the new Adelaide ChargeGive
If you would like to give to the work in Adelaide, the bank account details to give to are: Account Name: Presbyterian Church of Qld BSB: 034 010 Account Number: 13 1237 Reference: Adelaide DonorTell
Do you have relatives of friends in Adelaide who might consider joining the PCSA? Let them know about the proposed developments!
]]>Happy Reformation Day!https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/10/happy-reformation-day/
Tue, 31 Oct 2017 08:56:31 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4331
]]>Women’s Ministries Victoria…on the road…to Bendigo!https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/10/womens-ministries-victoria-on-the-road-to-bendigo/
Sun, 15 Oct 2017 03:24:50 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4313
]]>Bendigo CU ends the year in style!https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/10/bendigo-cu-ends-the-year-in-style/
Fri, 13 Oct 2017 07:35:50 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4303

What a great night last Saturday night! The Bendigo Christian Union celebrated their year in style and with great thanks to God for His blessings upon them and with prayer for the year ahead. Join with us as we pray for the CU’s plans for 2018 and for graduating students in the workforce or doing further study or looking for work. Please pray too the God would raise up financial supporters to meet all their needs!

]]>It’s the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! Join us for a celebration..!https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/09/its-the-500th-anniverasry-of-the-reformation-join-us-for-a-celebration/
Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:42:29 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4280it’s not every day that you can celebrate something that has a 500th anniversary! Certainly not in our young country Australia, anyway…But this year, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of one of the greatest movements in human history. You can read about it here, but even better than that join us here on October 29th at 4:30pm when we along with other churches in Bendigo gather to praise God for what we have come to know by His grace!

]]>Yes, our stance on ‘same sex marriage’ is Nohttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/09/yes-our-stance-on-same-sex-marriage-is-no/
Sun, 10 Sep 2017 10:37:36 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4264Later this week when thepostal plebiscite papers reach our letter (and post office) boxes, we are all going to have the option of contributing our opinion on the proposed change to the Marriage Act 2004.

While some Christian leaders (even in Bendigo) have come out in support of the ‘Yes’ vote, we must respectfully disagree and put it out there that we cannot agree with the proposed change.

And why is that? You can find out our reasons here in a document prepared by the Presbyterian Church of Victoria’s ‘Church and Nation Committee’. It’s not too long and it expresses right where we stand!

]]>Euthanasia in Victoria?https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/07/4178/
Mon, 03 Jul 2017 23:31:40 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4178Please join us as we pray that the intent of the Victorian Labour Government to legalize euthanasia in this state will be thwarted. By all accounts, the matter will be brought before State Parliament in August.

Apart from prayer, one thing you can do is sign a petition from Australian Christian Lobby calling for a plebsicite on this issue. You can find the petition here.

The Presbyterian Church of Victoria has expressed its opposition for the following reasons:

• Accepting euthanasia – by definition – suggests that some lives are worth less than others (at the moment it is the sick and aged in view, but it wouldn’t be too difficult to imagine it could be expanded to include the handicapped, even the depressed at a later stage).

• The State cannot guarantee that these laws will not lead to some cases of involuntary euthanasia (i.e there remains the inherent danger of the possibility of involuntary euthanasia).

• There is no way of properly regulating euthanasia (Holland is a great example of where this leads) and will undoubtedly lead to vulnerable people being placed under great pressure to acquiesce, and we have no doubt it would eventually become a means of aged health-care cost controlling decisions.

The matter is of course an emotive and complex one, but rather going down this dangerous path, we consider that a better solution can be found in the improved use of and the greater funding for palliative care.

Life FM is organising two screenings of the movie, ‘The Case for Christ’ at the Bendigo Cinemas in Queen Street on Sunday 18 June at 2pm and Wednesday 21 June at 7pm.

The movie is based on Lee Strobel’s best-selling book of the same name, telling the story of how an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter set out to debunk the claims of Christianity with unexpected results!

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online here or the Life Essentials Op Shop (near the Bendigo Town Hall). All proceeds raised will support Life FM.

]]>NEW! Sunday Evening Fellowship: June 4thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/05/sunday-evening-fellowship-june-4th/
Sun, 14 May 2017 06:02:36 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4118In addition to our regular morning service at 10:30am on a Sunday, we are pleased to announce another opportunity for Christian fellowship and learning about God’s Word, as well as sharing together in one other form of the ‘means of grace’, the Lord’s Supper.

This will take place in the form of an informal brief service beginning at 6pm on June 4th (after a shared meal at 5pm) in the Upper Room. We will sing, pray, read God’s Word and hear it preached, concluding with the Lord’s Supper together. Mark it down in your diary! Other dates for ‘Sunday Evening Fellowship’ will follow during the year!

]]>‘CU’ (Christian Union) Sunday: April 30thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/04/cu-christian-union-sunday-april-30th/
Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:25:07 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4094Sunday April 30th will be a special ‘CU’ (Christian Union) Sunday at St John’s, where we hear of the ministry of the Bendigo Christian Union at La Trobe University, Flora Hill through one of our local AFES Staff Workers, Steve Blyth.

Steve will be preaching on Matthew 11:1-15 and sharing about the shape and importance of the gospel ministry that takes place on campus. All welcome. Morning tea follows!

]]>Good Friday service @9:30amhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/04/good-friday-service-930am/
Thu, 06 Apr 2017 10:47:45 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4076Join us as we gather to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in his death and burial. Good Friday, April 14th @9:30am. Hot cross buns to follow for morning tea!

]]>We’re taking part in the Bible League’s ‘Bibles for the Persecuted’https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/03/were-taking-part-in-the-bible-leagues-bibles-for-the-persecuted/
Mon, 20 Mar 2017 08:45:08 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4055It’s a challenging fact but sadly so true. All over the world believers in Jesus are being persecuted for their faith. While we make prayer for these believers a regular part of our worship, there is also more than we can do. One of these ways is to join the Bible League’s ‘Bibles for the Persecuted’ program which encourages prayer and collecting needed funds to enable these brothers and sisters of ours to have and hold the life-giving Word of God. You can check out the program here.

Internationally renowned Paraguayan folk harpist, Eduard Klassen will be making his second visit to St John’s on March 19th at 7pm. The concert is free although there will be an offering for the work of Reach Beyond. Supper follows in the hall.

]]>Our next Quarterly Prayer Gathering …https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/02/our-next-quarterly-prayer-gathering/
Tue, 21 Feb 2017 02:28:23 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=4013… is on Saturday March 4th from 10am in the Upper Room.

All are welcome! Come when you can, leave when you must.

Join us as we meet to bring all of our needs to the One whose hand moves the world!

]]>We were there at Scots Day Out!https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/02/we-were-there-at-scots-day-out/
Sun, 12 Feb 2017 09:01:49 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3985It was hot…too hot…but we had a great time handing out free ‘scotch biscuits’ and leaflets about how the Presbyterian Church found it’s way to Bendigo…and how people can get in contact with us today plus some good news from God! We also had opportunity for people to complete a quiz on Scotland’s geography, culture and religious history! Phew! Exhausting! But all worth it! Thanks team for a great effort!
]]>Look for us at Bendigo’s Scots Day Out on February 11th!https://bendigopc.org.au/2017/01/look-for-us-at-bendigos-scots-day-out-on-february-11th/
Sun, 29 Jan 2017 04:12:07 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3951Yes, we’ll be at the ‘Scots Day Out’ again this year. This celebration will be held in Rosalind Park, Bendigo on February 11th. So look out for our tent and and come and say hello!

And if you are wondering how it is that we are a part of ‘Scots Day Out’, well… our denomination has some very strong links back to Scotland … but that doesn’t mean you have to be Scottish to come to our church! (PS The tartan pictured above is Bendigo’s own)

]]>January @ St John’shttps://bendigopc.org.au/2017/01/january-st-johns-2/
Sat, 07 Jan 2017 04:54:06 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3899We’ll be meeting at 10:30am each Sunday during January 2017. Our preaching series will follow Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians and we’ll be thinking about the return of Jesus (because that’s what the lettter is about!)
]]>Christmas Day at St John’shttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/12/christmas-day-at-st-johns/
Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:09:57 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3886

Join us on Sunday at 9:30am and stay for some morning tea in the hall!

Join us as we come together for ‘Carols by Torchlight’ (yep, it’s much safer than candles!) at St John’s on Sunday December 18th at 8pm, followed by supper in the hall (please bring some to share!) All are very welcome!

]]>Playgroup, SMILE Playgroup and Sunday School Celebration, November 27thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/11/playgroup-smile-playgroup-and-sunday-school-celebration-november-27th/
Sun, 06 Nov 2016 07:43:31 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3845Come and join with us on Sunday November 27th at 10:30am when we’ll be wrapping up our Playgroup, SMILE Playgroup and Sunday School year once again! Lots on for the children and a yummy shared lunch to follow in the hall…!

Come and join us as we meet with our brothers and sisters from Eaglehawk and Reforming (South East Bendigo) Presbyterian Churches!

]]>Our annual Naval Service October 23rdhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/10/our-annual-naval-service-october-23rd/
Fri, 14 Oct 2016 08:30:35 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3790It’s coming up quickly… Our annual Naval Service is at 10:30am on Sunday October 23. We are looking forward to welcoming the members of Bendigo’s ex-Navalmen’s Club, the Cadets of TS Bendigo, and our our own guest preacher, Rev Miles Fagan from Mt Evelyn Presbyterian Church. Miles also serves as a Naval Chaplain (Reserve) at HMAS Cerebus. Join us for a yummy morning tea that follows..!
]]>Dennis & Glenys Tranter to visithttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/09/dennis-glenys-tranter-to-visit/
Sun, 18 Sep 2016 05:44:57 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3760Dennis & Glenys Tranter serve with Gospel Recordings Network (and APWM) by producing Bible related materials in Aborginal English.

We are looking forward to their visit to us on Thursday night October 13th for a shared meal at 6pm in our hall, followed by an update on their ministry at 7:30pm. All are welcome!

PS: Dennis promises that he has trimmed his beard!

]]>PYV’s North Camp is on!https://bendigopc.org.au/2016/09/pyvs-north-camp-is-on/
Sun, 11 Sep 2016 07:08:44 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3750We are pleased that two of our young people are attending North Camp at Corop next weekend!

Please pray for the camp and the preaching and the study of God’s Word on the seven signs of the Gospel of John.

]]>Reading Ezra-Nehemiahhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/08/reading-ezra-nehemiah/
Sun, 14 Aug 2016 12:00:04 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3700Our series on Ezra is well underway, but you might like to keep reading. Check out this video overview of the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah from The Bible Project to whet your appetite!

]]>Barnabas Fund Deputy International Director to visit Bendigohttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/07/barnabas-fund-deputy-international-director-to-visit-bendigo/
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:36:40 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3689We have been pleased to learn that the Rev Paul Mursalin, the Deputy International Director of Barnabas Fund is visiting Bendigo and speaking on Monday August 8th at 10am in the Bendigo South Gospel Chapel, 10 Ophir Street, Golden Square.

Paul will be giving a ‘Frontline Update’ – A challenge to the churches to come on board and to be a source of strength and support to the persecuted church.

St John’s is very pleased to be a supporter of Barnbas Fund and their vital ministry to the persecuted church around the world.

]]>Coming soon: Sermon series on the book of Ezra!https://bendigopc.org.au/2016/06/coming-soon-sermon-series-on-the-book-of-ezra/
Tue, 21 Jun 2016 02:39:55 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3651Did you know that Ezra wrote more of the Bible that Paul? That fact caught me by surprise! Yet not man y people seem to know much about Ezra the man, let alone the book that bears his name! Our next sermon series (commencing July 3) at St John’s will be on Ezra (the book). Come and join us each week at 10:30am or catch up with the audio from each week on this very page.

]]>Men’s Fellowship – June 18thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/06/mens-and-ladies-fellowship-june-18th/
Sun, 05 Jun 2016 06:27:17 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3633Yep, it’s on again! Saturday June 18th in the Upper Room. The Men’s Fellowship meet for breakfast at 8am. (No Ladies’ Fellowship this month.) Come and join us. All are welcome!
]]>Quarterly prayer gathering Saturday June 4thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/05/quarterly-prayer-gathering-saturday-june-4th/
Sat, 28 May 2016 12:38:41 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3601Join us as we meet together to pray at 10:00am on Saturday June 4th. There’s so much we need to be praying for – especially for our nation on the verge of a critical Federal election, plus many other aspects of gospel work and witness throughout our nation and the world. We’ll meet together in the Upper Room until approx. 12:30pm. Come when you can, leave when you must!
]]>https://bendigopc.org.au/2016/04/3554/
Sun, 17 Apr 2016 07:08:52 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3554We are excited that the Presbyterian Women’s National Conference is to be held next month in Scots’ Church, Mellbourne on Friday May 27 and Saturday May 28, and are hoping to send some representatives. Click here for details and to register!
]]>Next Men’s and Ladies’ Fellowship meetingshttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/04/next-mens-and-ladies-fellowship-meetings/
Thu, 14 Apr 2016 03:43:22 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3545Both are meeting tomorrow! The men are meeting at 8am for breakfast. The ladies are meeting at 10:30am for morning tea! Spiritual food and fellowship provided at both meetings! Come join us!
]]>Visit of Rev Dr Peter Barnes to Bendigohttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/03/visit-of-rev-dr-peter-barnes-to-bendigo/
Tue, 29 Mar 2016 07:53:10 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3525Rev Dr Peter Barnes (MA, BD, Dip.Ed, ThD), is a Presbyterian minister who has served in Vanuatu, Nambucca River & Revesby (NSW). He also lectures in Church History at the Presbyterian Theological Centre in Sydney and is the Editor of the Australian Presbyterian. Come and hear him speak on;

]]>Easter services @ St John’shttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/03/3496/
Fri, 04 Mar 2016 04:48:19 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3496Easter is not that far away! Our Easter services at St John’s will be held on Friday March 25th (Good Friday) at 9:30am with a retiring offering for PresAID and hot cross buns to follow, and then also on Sunday March 27th (Easter Sunday) at 10:30am with morning tea to follow. Come and join us!

]]>

Reading the book of Joshuahttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/02/reading-the-book-of-joshua/
Sun, 28 Feb 2016 14:04:59 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/2016/02/reading-the-book-of-joshua/Our series on Joshua 1-8 has finished but you might like to keep reading. Check out this video overview of the Old Testament book of Joshua from The Bible Project to whet your appetite!

]]>TEAM (Teaching English as Ministry) Training Day, Saturday Feb 27thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/02/team-teaching-english-as-ministry-training-day-saturday-feb-27th/
Sun, 21 Feb 2016 04:35:38 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3476We are happy to host this Training Day on Saturday from 10am -3:30pm (9:30am registration and tea/coffee). See the program below, but contact us asap if you want to come along! Cost is $30 (includes morning tea, lunch and take-home resources)

Program:

Getting Started: Practical tips and ideas for starting or getting involved in an English ministry in your church or community.

Being inspired: Hear from those with experience in teaching English as ministry in Australia and overseas, Observe some mini lessons, Learn about relating well cross culturally.

]]>Home Groups launch dinnerhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2016/02/home-groups-launch-dinner/
Sat, 13 Feb 2016 06:31:27 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3462Home Groups are such an integral part of our church life at Bendigo (St John’s) Presbyterian. For a couple of years now we’ve met together for dinner at the start of the ‘Home Group year’ to decide upon groups and venues and leaders, as well as meet together for a meal and pray together in our Home Groups.

This year’s launch will be on Thursday night Feb 18th at the Church Hall in Forest Street from 6pm. (Bring a mains/sweet!)

]]>Look for us at ‘Scots’ Day Out’https://bendigopc.org.au/2016/01/look-for-us-at-scots-day-out/
Tue, 19 Jan 2016 09:28:43 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3435This year’s ‘Scots’ Day Out’ in Bendigo will be held in Rosalind Park on February 13th. We’ll be there so look out for us and come and say ‘hi!’ (What are we doing there?…oh…well… our denomination has a rich Scottish heritage… but that doesn’t mean you have to be Scottish to come to our church!)
]]>Summer sermon serieshttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/12/summer-sermon-series/
Sun, 27 Dec 2015 02:08:03 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3386

Join with us each Sunday in January (which will also continue into February) at our 10:30am services as we explore the first eight chapters of the Old Testament book of Joshua. By this, it is our hope and prayer that God will direct us in His ways to serve Him well, just as Joshua was enabled to do in his time.

]]>Christmas Services @ St John’s 2015https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/12/christmas-services-st-johns-2015/
Sun, 06 Dec 2015 07:41:24 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3357On Sunday December 13 at 8pm we will hold our annual ‘Carols by Torchlight’ in St John’s followed by supper in the hall. This is always a great time of singing Christmas hymns, reflecting upon the Christmas story and hearing God’s Word explained to us in a shorter format which Philip will bring. All are welcome and don’t forget your torch!

On Christmas Eve we will join in with our friends at Eaglehawk Presbyterian Church for their 7pm service followed by supper and then on Christmas Day we will meet together at 9:30am in St John’s.Philip will be preaching again from God’s Word and there will be more Christmas hymns. There will also be an offering for PresAID (Presbyterians Assisting in Development) projects among our partner churches in Zambia, Uganda, Vanuatu and Meekatharra (WA). Morning tea will follow in the hall if you can stay. Everyone is very welcome!

]]>Playgroup and Sunday School Celebration reporthttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/11/playgroup-and-sunday-school-celebration-report/
Sun, 29 Nov 2015 05:33:26 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3342Well, it happened! Our annual Playgroup and Sunday School Celebration was a great event today. Children participating in Christmas-themed costumes, lots of singing, short and sharp videos of the Sunday School children acting out and talking about some of Jesus’ parables, and of course ‘Hot Dog’ came along to help us to understand God’s ‘big story’ and how the birth and death of Jesus fits into it all. Lunch was great too! Bring on next year!
]]>Playgroup and Sunday School end-of-year celebration!https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/11/pplaygroup-and-sunday-school-end-of-year-celebration/
Tue, 10 Nov 2015 22:06:14 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3315Wow.. how quickly the year flies past! On Sunday November 29th at 10:30am we’ll be wrapping up our Playgroup and Sunday School year once again! Even ‘Hot Dog’ is promising to be there! A shared lunch will follow in the hall…come and join with us!
]]>Naval service 2015https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/10/naval-service-2015/
Sun, 25 Oct 2015 07:02:06 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3281

Our Annual Naval Service (held this morning) was attended by members of the ex-Navalmen’s Club of Bendigo and District, along with their special guest, Russell Pettis, Lieutenant RANR Rtd, National President of the Naval Association of Australia, and Naval Cadets of the TS Bendigo. Rev Philip Burns preached on Jonah 1:1-17 (you can listen to or download the message, just to the right of this post) and a yummy morning tea in the hall was enjoyed by all!

Medical Doctor and former Australian Navy Commander, Dr John Anderson, from Creation Ministries International will be speaking at a public meeting at our church on Friday October 2nd at 7:30pm. A freewill offering will be received.

Join us as we discuss what is probably the most important question in the world.

]]>SMILE… a new ministry!https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/08/smile-a-new-ministry/
Sun, 16 Aug 2015 06:10:25 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3136We are delighted to announce the approval of a new ministry called SMILE (Supporting Migrants In Learning English), a conversational English class for migrant women (and their children). SMILE will run from the Upper Room on a Monday morning commencing in Term 4. We are excited that this new ministry is in line with Session’s own Vision Statement; ‘developing ministries that will reach out to the city of Bendigo and the world.’ Your prayers for SMILE are encouraged!!
]]>Our ‘Safe Church Training’https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/07/our-safe-church-training/
Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:18:16 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3089

Over 100 people from Presbyterian Churches all over Victoria (Bendigo, South East Bendigo, Eaglehawk, Castlemaine, Camberwell, Ballarat, Rochester, Kerang and Broadford…did I miss anyone??) who gathered together in St John’s yesterday for our ‘Safe Church Training’ led by our Safe Church Unit’s Trainer, Mrs Fiona Bligh. (See their website here). What a morning it was! It is a sad fact of life that we need to be taught how we must work together to eliminate abuse of every kind, but that is the way things are. We learned so much (not all of it was good!) and we are all now better equipped to help make each our churches ‘safer’ by ensuring that we truly care about one another and look out for the vulnerable among us as we ought! Thank you Fiona for your time and expertise and wisdom. We praise God for your appointment to such a vital role.

]]>‘Sharing life, sharing the gospel’ workshop July 26thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/07/sharing-life-sharing-the-gospel-workshop-july-26th/
Sat, 18 Jul 2015 00:37:31 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3078After lunch together on Sunday July 26th, we’re going to share life together for a while in the second part of our ‘Sharing life, sharing the gospel’ workshop. The aim of the workshop is to help us understand how we may best share the gospel (the good news about the Lord Jesus) with those we meet and mix with in an ‘everyday’ kind of way.

Can’t make it? The workshop will be repeated after our August 23rd lunch.

This will be the second of three workshops along this theme during 2015. Come and join us!

]]>Repeat workshop ‘Sharing life, sharing the gospel’ on June 28https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/06/repeat-workshop-sharing-life-sharing-the-gospel-on-june-28/
Sun, 21 Jun 2015 05:54:53 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3029After lunch together on Sunday June 28th, we’re going to share life together for a while in a workshop called ‘Sharing life, sharing the gospel’. The aim of the workshop is to help us understand how we may best share the gospel (the good news about the Lord Jesus) with those we meet and mix with in an ‘everyday’ kind of way.

This will be the first of three workshops along this theme during 2015. Come and join us!

]]>Next Men’s Fellowship … June 20thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/06/next-mens-fellowship-june-20th/
Sun, 07 Jun 2015 04:17:39 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=3015Our next Men’s Fellowship is on June 20th at 8am in the Upper Room. All men welcome. Hearty breakfast ($5 per head) and good spiritual food included!

Join us as we meet to bring all of our needs to the One whose hand moves the world!

Saturday June 7th from 10am in the Upper Room. All are welcome! Come when you can, leave when you must.

]]>May 24th Workshop: ‘Sharing life, sharing the gospel’https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/05/may-24th-workshop-sharing-life-sharing-the-gospel/
Sat, 16 May 2015 03:04:01 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2969After lunch together on Sunday May 24th, we’re going to share life together for a while in a workshop called ‘Sharing life, sharing the gospel’. The aim of the workshop is to help us understand how we may best share the gospel (the good news about the Lord Jesus) with those we meet and mix with in an ‘everyday’ kind of way.

Can’t make it? The workshop will be repeated after our June 28th lunch.

This will be the first of three workshops along this theme during 2015. Come and join us!

]]>ANZAC Day Centenary Servicehttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/04/anzac-day-centenary-service/
Tue, 14 Apr 2015 10:52:30 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2840On Sunday April 26th, 2015, at our 10:30am service, we will pause to remember the important occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. Our readings, hymns and songs, prayers and message will follow all this theme. Join us as we give thanks to God for His protecting hand in times of war. Shared lunch will follow in the hall.
]]>‘Holiday’ Bible Study this Thursday April 9thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/04/holiday-bible-study-this-thursday-april-10th/
Tue, 07 Apr 2015 06:22:34 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2831Our Bible Study (Home) Groups don’t normally meet during the school holidays, but we are this week!

Join us in the Upper Room (meeting room off our Hall) at 7:30pm for a brief look at the letter of Jude. All are welcome!

]]>‘Too good to be true?’ (An Easter Sunday reflection)https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/04/too-good-to-be-true-an-easter-sunday-reflection/
Fri, 03 Apr 2015 03:02:50 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2810The story is told that there was once a son of a wealthy family who was about to graduate from high school. It was the custom in this affluent neighbourhood for the parents to give their graduating children a car, but in this instance – the father – on the eve of the boy’s graduation – handed his son a gift wrapped Bible. The boy was so angry that he threw the Bible down and stormed out of the house and vowed never to speak to his father again. Not long after, the news of his father’s death brought the boy home again. As he sat one night going through his father’s possessions that he was to inherit, he came across the Bible his father had given him. He brushed away the dust and opened it to find a cheque, dated the day of his graduation – for the exact amount of the car he had told his father he would have loved to own.

That story perhaps highlights how many people treat God. The world constantly bombards us with the thought that, ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.’ So the result is that many are suspicious of anyone who promises anything. We view them and their words with the thought ‘what and where’s the catch?’ The good news of Easter Sunday is that Jesus is alive! And there is no catch! When they went to His tomb – they found nothing. Never has there been a more important discovery of nothing!

The story is also told that an eight year old downs syndrome Sunday school boy was given, with the rest of his class, a special project to complete for Easter. The teacher gave each child a plastic “egg” (the kind that pantyhose used to come in) and explained that they were to find a symbol for new life and put it into the egg. A couple of weeks later, the eggs were opened and in the first was a pretty flower; in the next a butterfly, while green grass was in a third. In another was a rock, which prompted laughter, then finally the last egg was opened with nothing inside. “That’s stupid,” said one child, ‘someone didn’t do it right!’ The teacher felt a tug on his shirt. It was the downs syndrome boy, who whispered, “That’s mine, and I did do right! It’s empty, ‘cause the tomb was empty.” (He was right – see Luke 24:3)

The good news of Easter is too good to simply let pass by – because if the tomb of Jesus was empty and if He is alive as He said He would be, then the only ‘catch’ will apply to those who will not come in faith and bow the knee to Him.

Join us on Easter Sunday at 10:30am!

]]>The great escape (an Easter reflection)https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/03/the-great-escape-an-easter-reflection/
Sat, 21 Mar 2015 02:27:20 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2784When the rescue of miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell was unfolding in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, back in May 2006, the whole world held their breath! After having been given up for dead because of the thick rock that kept the men from freedom, in the course of time, they were rescued from their captivity and the watching world sighed with relief! Throughout the whole ordeal and after, tribute was rightly paid to the rescuers who toiled tirelessly to reach the men in extreme circumstances and at great risk to themselves.

The mine rescue story reminds us of another rescue story, an even better one. The Bible tells us that ‘all men have sinned’ (Romans 3:23) and that because of this we are unable to save ourselves. All of us are ‘trapped’ in the cage of our own sinful natures and all are in need of a Rescuer. Jesus Christ is that Rescuer. At great cost to Himself and to rescue His people, He died upon a cross and was buried. Then to prove that His work was sufficient and accepted by God, and that He was and is the Son of God, He was raised from the grave after three days.

We all need to be rescued. At Easter we are reminded that only Jesus Christ can do this completely. Through faith in Him, all who believe are granted full and free salvation. He said, ‘If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’. (John 8:36). Seek Him. Great joy will follow your rescue too.

Join us this Easter! Good Friday 9:30am, Easter Sunday 10:30am. All welcome!

]]>Training in public Bible reading, March 22ndhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/03/training-in-public-bible-reading-march-22nd/
Fri, 06 Mar 2015 22:18:57 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2741Reading God’s Word out loud is a very important aspect of our worship. Why? Because whenever His Word is read, He speaks to us! It’s for this reason (and some others) that we want to do the public reading of God’s Word to the best that we can. After our 4th Sunday lunch on March 22nd, we’re aiming to do some training in this very area, so that we can all, literally, be ‘on the same page’.
]]>First ‘Quarterly Prayer Gathering’ for 2015https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/02/first-quarterly-prayer-gathering-for-2015/
Sat, 21 Feb 2015 01:18:52 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2703Our next quarterly prayer gathering is on Saturday, March 7th, in the Upper Room. Join us as we pray to our great God for missions and needs, local and worldwide. Just remember though, our new starting time is 10am. Come when you can, leave when you must!
]]>Men’s Fellowship & Ladies’ Morning Tea: on again!https://bendigopc.org.au/2015/02/mens-fellowship-and-ladies-brunch-is-on-again/
Fri, 13 Feb 2015 10:51:48 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2689Saturday May 16th..

8am for the Men in the Hall (for breakfast)…

10:30am for the Ladies in the Upper Room (for morning tea)…

Come and join us!

]]>‘A Vocal World Tour’ February 13thhttps://bendigopc.org.au/2015/01/a-vocal-world-tour-february-13th/
Fri, 30 Jan 2015 08:35:29 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2644We are please to provide the venue for this upcoming concert in support of the ministry of Compassion Australia. All details are below on the image. Feel free to come along and join us!

]]>Christmas Services @ St John’s 2014https://bendigopc.org.au/2014/11/christmas-services-st-johns-2014/
Thu, 27 Nov 2014 05:12:54 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2560Yep it’s that time of year again and we will have two special events that will celebrate the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

On Sunday December 21 at 8pm we will hold our annual ‘Carols by Torchlight’ in St John’s followed by supper in the hall. This is always a great time of singing Christmas hymns, reflecting upon the Christmas story and hearing God’s Word explained to us in a shorter format. This year, Russ Grinter will be preaching. All are welcome and don’t forget your torch! (Maybe not as big as the one pictured!)

Then on Christmas Day, we will meet together at 9:30am in St John’s. Russ will be preaching again and there will be more Christmas hymns and more from God’s Word. There will also be an offering for PresAID (Presbyterians Assisting in Development) projects among our partner churches in Zambia, Myanmar and Vanuatu. Morning tea will follow in the hall if you can stay. Everyone is very welcome!

]]>Combined Home Groups end-of-year-event!https://bendigopc.org.au/2014/11/combined-home-groups-end-of-year-event/
Tue, 11 Nov 2014 05:32:49 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2539Yep! It’s on again this year @ Lake Weeroona at 6pm (ish) on Tuesday November 25th. As per usual, BYO everything to eat (whether bbq or pizza or …bbq pizza!…) whatever takes your fancy. All welcome!

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We took part in ‘Solidarity Sunday’https://bendigopc.org.au/2014/11/we-took-part-in-solidarity-sunday/
Sun, 02 Nov 2014 03:04:26 +0000http://bendigopc.org.au/?p=2521Along with many other churches in our land, we took part in ‘Solidarity Sunday’ today by praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world and watching a short video released by the Australian Christian Lobby. We make prayer for the persecuted church a regular part of our worship and will continue to do so!

Rev. Peter Hastie, Principal of the Presbyterian Theological College preached at our annual Seafarer’s (Naval) Service, from Acts 27 concerning the shipwreck the Apostle Paul endured on his journey to Rome. Peter asked the question, ‘How do you handle your worst fears?’ and then proceeded to provide encouragement from the way Paul trusted in God’s promises and plans in the most dangerous of situations, encouraging us to also ‘cast our anchors deep’ into the solid nature of those promises God gives us in His Word. (Unfortunately there was no sound recording due to an oversight.) The service was attended by members of Bendigo’s Ex-Navalmen’s Club, Lieutenant Commander Amy York, RAN, OAM, Cr Elise Chapman, Lisa Chesters MP and cadets from the TS Bendigo